Need help from networking pros

[zbluks]

The situation is like this, i used to run a wireless network at home using wireless B router and wireless G adapter. My signal strength ( indicated by adapter) for the wireless network is always very weak like 40-50%/ 1-2bars. I thought it is because that my router was outdated. But recently i bought a G router and my signal strength is still the same.

1> Any idea to help me get better signal strength?

2> Can i set up my old B router as a adapter and replace my G adapter and test if this connection is more stable? eg ( pc + B router then receive wireless signal from my G router + modem)

3>Can i use my B router as a wifi extender/repeater?

My stuff are from linksys - WUSB54G ver 4, BEFW11S4 ver 4 and WRT54G2. I know there are wifi extenders/repeaters products but i dont intend to spend any money. Just wanted to see if my old router is able to do anything before I leave it inside my drawer. Thanks for the help and forgive my nuub questions. I know nothing about networking, just reading info from the web here and there and see if these ideas are feasible.

[huffie]

One way to boost ur signal strength is to get a higher gain antenna. A 7dBi antenna probably cost you about $30. But then again, there might be other factors that may cause your signal strength to drop. If ur neighbours are using the same channel, try changing ur channel so as not to conflict with them. Try to shift the position of ur router or the direction of the antenna. If however u're within the same room as ur wireless router and the signal strength is still as low, it could be issue with ur adapter.
#2 you can setup this way but make sure that your router is set to b/g wireless network and not G only

#3 u can do it provided that the B router has the capability to function as a repeater

[micromousez]

er, 2 questions to ask...
if u stand next to the router, u stil getting 40-50%/ 1-2bars?

how big is ur house?

[zbluks]

One way to boost ur signal strength is to get a higher gain antenna. A 7dBi antenna probably cost you about $30. But then again, there might be other factors that may cause your signal strength to drop. If ur neighbours are using the same channel, try changing ur channel so as not to conflict with them. Try to shift the position of ur router or the direction of the antenna. If however u're within the same room as ur wireless router and the signal strength is still as low, it could be issue with ur adapter.
#2 you can setup this way but make sure that your router is set to b/g wireless network and not G only

#3 u can do it provided that the B router has the capability to function as a repeater

1>Well i have a lot of factors for my weak signal strength like a dozen of neighbours using the same wireless G frequency in 3 different channels 1,6,11, interferance from electrical appliances like TV and microwave oven. I tried different channels but its no use. Btw can we only use channel 1,6,11 in SG or all 14 channels?
2>Any links where i can learn how to set this up?
3>No idea whether my B router has the capabilities. Same again any info i can read on?

er, 2 questions to ask...
if u stand next to the router, u stil getting 40-50%/ 1-2bars?

how big is ur house?

Well i dont really understand your question but i guess u ask me to test my adapter near my router. I cant really install my adapter next to the router but my signal strength increase when i try to "pull" the adapter towards the room door. Unless u really want me to stand beside the router:) Then again i cant see the computer screen when i stand near the router. (router in living room and my adapter in the room behind the kitchen)

My house is 3room extended hdb and my room is in the "extended portion" behind the kitchen.

Thanks for all the help guys :D

[huffie]

#1) u can still use channel 11 (still within the 13 channels). Not sure about the 14th channel but u still have 10 channels to play with should be good enough

#2) read up on your router manual on how to configure wireless networks

#3) read up on ur router manual and if u see any reference to repeater most probably ur router supports, otherwise ur router doesn't support

#4) Is ur adapter a USB or PCI card? Is it placed behind or front of the computer (best location is front of your pc)? Otherwise, try to extend the router from current position and try to move towards center of your house (or have someone to hold ur router high towards the ceiling and see the reception), OR try out a high gain antenna.

I'd suspect is the locality of ur room that's blocking the network signal.

[zbluks]

#1) u can still use channel 11 (still within the 13 channels). Not sure about the 14th channel but u still have 10 channels to play with should be good enough

#2) read up on your router manual on how to configure wireless networks

#3) read up on ur router manual and if u see any reference to repeater most probably ur router supports, otherwise ur router doesn't support

#4) Is ur adapter a USB or PCI card? Is it placed behind or front of the computer (best location is front of your pc)? Otherwise, try to extend the router from current position and try to move towards center of your house (or have someone to hold ur router high towards the ceiling and see the reception), OR try out a high gain antenna.

I'd suspect is the locality of ur room that's blocking the network signal.

1>My bad, there are only 11 channels. But I think u misunderstand what i am trying to ask. What i am trying to ask is that in SG/this region are there fixed channels that we can use? Because from what i can see, my neighbours are all using channel 1,6 and 11 only. No one is using like channel 2,3,4,5 etc etc. While surfing info for the router, i came across an info like certain regions of the world are only suitable to use certain channel, Eg. Europe countries use like channel 8,9 etc. Anyway i tried using all 11 channels before and they dont really make a difference.

2,3> The manual is useless. It only shows the installation wizard thing to help you set up a simple wireless network using a router and a adapter. In my case i am trying to set up a more advanced wireless network with 2 routers so theres nothing i can refer to in the manual.

4>My adapter is a usb adapter. I placed it in front of my pc, near to the door and light switches. Meaning, i have pulled it as far and as high as the cable could. Well there are alot of constraints with moving the router like the starhub outlet box and furniture and fixtures stuff so... the main idea here is too see if there is anything i can do without moving the stuff or buying anything. Like any internal settings i can set, whether my old router can be of any use.

I know its the location of my room that causes so much interference in the network but... theres nothing i can do about it. :s13: Thanks for the reply.

[huffie]

#1 I would say most ppl are using 1,6,11 is because they are the default channels that comes with the router and unlikely they would want to change it. (just like ppl leaving the default SSID as it is). Although it may seemed no difference to you right now, I would say that it may reduce signal conflict once u get ur wireless up and running.

#2 why not setup ur B router and see if ur adapter is able to connect and see how to move from there.

#3 Did a quick check and I doubt ur B router can act as a repeater.

I just realized that ur WRT54G2 has got no antenna and that could be and issue for poor signal. Internal settings wise I doubt could help to boost any further. what I can suggest are a few things
a) try out ur B router and see if you are able to get any signal (move the antenna in different direction and see the signal strength). If yes see if you want to replace ur B router's antenna with a high gain antenna

b) from ur WRT54G2 router, run a UTP cable out to connect to your B router. i.e. meaning u try to get router B as close to ur room as possible since u have restrictions with the outlet and all having ur router B connected wired to ur router A. Have ur pc connect to B router's wireless (both router A and B have different SSID). See if that helps

[zbluks]

#1 I would say most ppl are using 1,6,11 is because they are the default channels that comes with the router and unlikely they would want to change it. (just like ppl leaving the default SSID as it is). Although it may seemed no difference to you right now, I would say that it may reduce signal conflict once u get ur wireless up and running.

#2 why not setup ur B router and see if ur adapter is able to connect and see how to move from there.

#3 Did a quick check and I doubt ur B router can act as a repeater.

I just realized that ur WRT54G2 has got no antenna and that could be and issue for poor signal. Internal settings wise I doubt could help to boost any further. what I can suggest are a few things
a) try out ur B router and see if you are able to get any signal (move the antenna in different direction and see the signal strength). If yes see if you want to replace ur B router's antenna with a high gain antenna

b) from ur WRT54G2 router, run a UTP cable out to connect to your B router. i.e. meaning u try to get router B as close to ur room as possible since u have restrictions with the outlet and all having ur router B connected wired to ur router A. Have ur pc connect to B router's wireless (both router A and B have different SSID). See if that helps

1> Yea thats 1 reason i guess. I tried using 11 different channels for a period of time with the network running and i must say really no significant difference.

2> Well i tried it before i started this thread. Everything in my network place (windows) and linksys installation exe. I even tried bridging networks but still cant figure out how to do this.

3>Ok thanks.

4>Yup no antenna. My fault for not doing enough research on wireless stuff before buying.
4a> well the antenna thing is one thing that i have played before...but no difference also. Even if there is, Buying new antenna + downgrading from 54mbps to 11mbps + throwing my newly bought G router into the drawer seems to be like a big waste. I am assuming that you are suggesting that i use my old router instead and buy a high gain antenna. Since this weak signal thing isn't that disruptive to my usage of the internet, I would say this suggestion is a no-go.

4b> Is this method possible? From my understanding, u are trying to set up router b like a relay point which is like a repeater/extender? but wired. If it is possible, how am i going to do it? just plug the wires in will do? Any detailed instructions? I doubt i will adopt this method due to wires lying around = untidy looking house = angry moms. Thats 1 reason i go wireless network :s13:but still i am interested to know for the sake of learning if it is possible. Thanks again for sharing the knowledge.